Cremation: A Burning Issue

Even after death, the body is a holy vessel that deserves respect.

Sybil Sage, a Jewish writer and artist living in New York, asked her son if he minded her plans to have her and his father cremated.

“How about I make urns for Dad and me?” she asked. “I can cover them with fun photos—family vacations, birthday parties, graduations.”

When her son eventually acquiesced, Ms. Sage designed an urn to hold her and her husband’s ashes and, she wrote recently in the Forward, friends subsequently commissioned her “to create personalized urns for family members or for pets.”

A decade ago, just over 20% of Americans who died were cremated. In 2005, the rate had risen to 32%. The Cremation Association of North America forecasts that by 2025 more than half of Americans will choose to have their remains burned rather than interred. While no one knows what percentage of American cremation-choosers are Jews, there is little doubt that, at least among Jews with limited or no Jewish education, cremation has become acceptable, even chic. Several years ago, a crematorium even opened in Israel.

Jews bereft of Jewish knowledge can hardly be faulted for not appreciating the concept of “kavod hameis,” the mandate to show “honor for the deceased,” a concept that underlies the Torah’s opposition to cremation, the very opposite of honor. They do not understand that the fact that human beings are created “in the image of God” entails, among much else, that human bodies whose souls have departed be consigned to the earth in as undisturbed a state as possible.

Many contemporary Jews, sadly, cannot even be expected to be familiar with the Jewish belief in the resurrection of the dead—even though it is one of Judaism’s most basic teachings, subtly evident in the Written Torah’s text and prominent in its Oral Tradition.

What shouldn’t be surprising, though, to any Jew—or non-Jew, for that matter—is that our bodies are invaluable. After all, they are the means by which we accomplish what we do on earth; if our lives are meaningful, then the flesh-and-blood vehicles that harbor our souls and wills in this life are the indispensable means of creating that meaning—most importantly, by performing God’s will. It is through employing our bodies to do good deeds and opposing their gravitations to sin that we achieve our very purposes.

And so, Jewish tradition teaches, even though we are to consign our bodies to the earth after death, there is a small “bone” (Hebrew: “etzem”) that is not destroyed when a body decays and from which a person, if he or she so merits, will be rejuvenated at some point in the future.

The idea that a person might be recreated from something tiny—something, even, that can survive for millennia—should not shock anyone familiar with contemporary science. Each of our cells contains a large and complex molecule, DNA, that is essentially a blueprint of our bodies; theoretically, one of those molecules from even our long-buried remains holds the code needed to reproduce our physical selves. (Intriguingly, the Hebrew word “etzem” can mean not only “bone” but “essence.”)

To be sure, the Creator is capable of bringing even ashes to life again (as the ashes of the Nazis’ crematoria victims will demonstrate one day, may it come soon). But in Judaism, consciously reducing something to ashes is a declaration of utter abandon and nullification. Jews burn leaven and bread before Pesach, when the Torah insists no vestige of such material may be in their possession. The proper means of disposing of an idol is to pulverize or burn it.

And so, to actually choose to have one’s body incinerated is an act that, whether so intended or not, expresses denial of the fact that the body is a holy vessel, that it deserves respect, that it retains worth—indeed that it contains the seeds of future life.

All of us who understand those things need, today more than ever, to share them with those who, tragically, may not.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 39

(25)
Sharon,
September 4, 2015 3:58 AM

Shocked

To hear they have a crematorium in Israel. I thought I had heard just about everything. Then they wonder why there's destruction, Measure for Measure. The Rabbis have to stand up and the religious Jews and get rid of this abomination.

(24)
Kerry,
July 9, 2013 1:02 PM

cremation....

Hi,i just need to say that i have an overwhelming fear of being buried or enclosed in any way. For me cremation is a freeing thought. My children are comforted by the thought that i will not be buried in the ground and left there alone. I do not have a lot of money and so cannot afford a crypt where i would not be under the ground so who is it hurting? i am sure that Hashem sees my heart and knows that my choice is NOT a disrespectful one. MY dad is buried 1400 miles from me , i never get to visit his grave and light a candle or leave flowers. I wish he had been cremated ,so at least he wasn't alone across the country. Sometimes traditions outlast their purpose. I believe that G-d is all powerful and it wont matter on the day of resurrection where or how my remains are - he knows every hair on my head and he loves me.

(23)
LVSteveo1,
December 5, 2012 8:56 PM

Jewish Burial

Prior to becoming involved in an Modern Orthodox shul, I was leaning towards cremation >120. According to Jewish belief, since we r created by HaShem, (out of dust), thus our physical 'vessels' as it were, should return naturally to G-d's good earth. Also, in many ancient societies (& in India today) cremation was/is the norm. Another issue: resurrection, which until only relatively recently, I learned IS a Jewish concept & is referred to in to in the Chumash, Talmud & rabbinic & other 'writings'. For me, there is no $ issue relating to grave site - I'm registered 4 burial @ Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City NV. Since I know that an Orthodox rabbai won't conduct services 4 me there, it w/b done @ my shul or funeral chapel. . .

(22)
jay,
March 16, 2012 4:46 AM

Thank you

Despite my mothers wish to be cremated I have decided to have her buried. Is it correct to dishonor her intent.

(21)
Beverly Kurtin,
February 20, 2012 5:39 AM

Excuse me

It is easy to say that only uneducated Jews chose to be cremated. Yes, we are created in G-d's image, but that refers to our souls, not our bodies. Do you think that Hashem is limited as we are in our bodies?
A buried body turns into something that nobody would want to see; I've had to see exhumed bodies, and believe me, there is nothing holy about the horrible condition of a body that has been buried.
I'm 71. That is old enough to make an intelligent and spiritual decision for the disposal of my body and the thought of having my body turn into what bodies become when buried turns my stomach.
I cannot stand being put through an MRI machine let alone the thought of being encased in a box and then slowly falling to pieces because in my part of the world, one's casket must be put into a concrete vault which slows down the decomposition.
I could take being buried in a shroud without a box and I'm still looking into that possibility, but I intend to have my ashes buried; my local rabbi has said that buried remains of cremation can have a Jewish burial.
Another reason is money. I do not have a lot of it. My cremation and burial have been pre-paid. I hope that I will not need those services for at least another 29 years; I want to live to be 100 because I have so many doctors to bury.
I was recently informed that I had a fatal disease and had only another 7 to 8 months to live...maybe a year. Imagine if YOU had been told that, how would you feel? I have a 100% faith in Hashem and left the matter in his hands. When I went to see the doctor for a follow up, he gave me the great news that they had misdiagnosed me and that I would probably outlive him. THREE DOCTORS SCREWED UP! Or Hashem has once again intervened on my behalf.
In any event, I resent being told that those of us who chose to be cremated do so because we're uneducated in Judaism.

(20)
Jairo Danilo,
August 18, 2011 10:05 PM

Cremation: A key to hell

I agree "a body is a holy vessel that deserves respect" and it should be sufficient reason to put it back where it belongs, but people that choose cremation do it for the sole reason of convenience, because a body has become something that is used and need to be placed where is most convenient, where is the least bother, never mind what the Tora said, never mind anything, "IT IS CLEANER, FASTER, MORE ECONOMICAL" you see....?
Well, it was easy not to have to bother with the construction of the Arc, but they ended up drawned!

(19)
Samuel Okwei-Nortey,
August 16, 2011 10:05 PM

Thanks for this article.

I mam grateful for your clarification. I agree with your submition and cannot understand why a gentile dies the minister says other things including ''...ashes to ashes'' when a person is buried? This is ridiculous! I like your explanation.

(18)
Leon,
August 16, 2011 3:56 PM

Yes, cremation for me, please

I do not believe for a second anybody who claims that he/she "knows" the will of G-d or what happens after the physical death. Cremation is a cleaner, faster, more economical way of dealing with remains. It is also much less traumatic to the family of the deceased.

Steve,
August 18, 2011 6:55 AM

''Know''

Judaism is based on knowing that their is one G-D, who cares about man and has made much of ''His will'' known.
I'm not sure that Jewish burial (as compared to non-Jewish burial) is much more expensive then cremation. As far as being less traumatic, I think that is a matter of opinion. Death is a traumatic experience, even if you believe you know what happens after death. For people who it isn't traumatic it is usually because of their apathy for the person who died. For me personally, cremation would be extremely traumatic. A person you knew turned to ashes..as their body goes through a burning fire? As compared to buried in-tact in a prayer shawl? No cremation for me please.

Anonymous,
August 18, 2011 8:59 PM

Do you really believe no one knows the will fo G-D

Leon, do you really think you were put here with no instructions as to what to do. Everything comes with a users manual otherwise you couldn't use it properly. Why would we be given life without instructions how to use it. What a waste that would be.

(17)
Steve,
August 16, 2011 1:01 AM

I observed my mother's wishes

which went against my personal beliefs. However, were I to have buried her in the city she died, no one would ever visit the grave. To bury her where I live would be no better as I move. Instead, I chose to respect her final wish and cremate her - but I buried the ashes with her beloved brother in the War Cemetery in Sicily where he had a died, a war hero. Thus her 'grave' will always be tended and I can always (as can others) visit at any time. And when the burial was done, I felt good about it. And she now rests with her beloved brother. It was not about $$$. It cost '000s to get there. But it was a significant place. I know that her dear soul will rest in peace in that place. Shalom.

(16)
Laurence V Harrould,
August 15, 2011 11:24 PM

It hurts

The clincher for me regarding cremation was when I read in the Talmud (sorry I can't quote the location) that the soul feels the body breaking down like pinpricks. If the soul experiences sensations after death (and can you tell me for sure it doesn't) then what must the experience of burning be like?

(15)
Rachel,
August 15, 2011 7:42 PM

Cost of funerals

1. Everyone should have enough life insurance to cover the cost of their own funerals. If you start young, it's not expensive to have a policy with coverage of a few thousand dollars.
2. Some people have death benefits available to them. For example, If a parent served in the US military, the parent and spouse are usually entitled to burial in a veteran's cemetery. My father, a Korean war vet, and later my mother, his widow, were buried in a veteran's cemetery. The funeral director was also willing to accept the standard payment provided by the government as full payment for funeral services.
3. The Jewish community has resources for burial expenses. One may wish to find out about this in one's community in advance, rather than trying to get help after a loved one has passed.
When one is having "the conversation", one should discuss these possibilities.

(14)
Israel Horowitz,
August 15, 2011 7:28 PM

cremation

Some people and some societies believe cremation is the ultimate respect and can still believe in 'techeyas hamaesim'.

(13)
Melanie,
August 15, 2011 4:24 PM

Creating a Command Where There Is None

Although this issue is obviously one that is close to the author's heart and about which he is very certain, I cannot agree that G-d forbids cremation. I don't see cremation, when properly performed (so that each individual's ashes are kept separate from those of each other's), as showing any disrespect to either a person or his earthly vessel. Conversely, I think it may be viewed as representative of the completion of the deceased's giving of himself during life as a sacrifice to G-d.
What one has offered to G-d, giving back in many ways while living, is finally offered up in its entirety in death as a sweet-smelling aroma. What could be more beautiful?! This seems to me to be more respectful of the former owner of the body than would be permitting that body to slowly decay.
The good rabbi, I fear, may have caused the surviving family members of some who have undergone cremation great pain in as they read his article. If so, I'm sure he joins me in regretting such a result.

(12)
Sally Isaac,
August 15, 2011 1:12 PM

The cost of a Kosher burial

Appart from the cost of a plot for burial,there are the additional costs to the Rabbi ,the other morners the donation to the Synagogue ,not to mention the undertakers and the stone masons.What can one afford?A cremation is also ecologically soundand good for the ground.G-d who can do all things and forgives all things will have mercy on us.I know.!

Anonymous,
August 15, 2011 11:48 PM

Agree with your post. burial is expensive. However, "G-d Who can do all things and forgives all things will have mercy on us?" Christianity believes that no matter what you do and what your intention, as long as you accept Jesus as your savior, your guaranteed forgiveness. Judaism does not believe this. G-d does not forgive all. Especially when done knowlingly and with the intent of being forgiven.

(11)
Welton,
August 15, 2011 1:27 AM

Cremation, Resomation, & Burial

We all are familiar with cremation and burial, but there is a new means of disposing of the human body after the soul departs: resomation. Resomation is a process whereby the same exact chemicals the body uses to break its self down are used in a system that heats the body to 380 degrees and disolves the body. The remaining liquid can be poured unto the ground with the fine white powder left from the bones after resomation and cremulation. We keep adding to the proverbial question of life: is it acceptable?

(10)
Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 7:57 PM

cremation

The earth is getting crowded. It's better to make for the living.
If Hashem wants us resurrected in whole he knows how to do it.
People should think of the living and donate their bodies to Medical Schools or someplace that can use their parts
to keep an ill person in acceptable health.

(9)
Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 6:45 PM

Any ideas?

My mother insists on being cremated as well as having no grave marker. I don't really know what to do. All I ever can bring myself to answer is a mumbled "that makes me feel sad", which in itself makes me sad. To me, her wishes are wrong, but she's my mother so what can I do? And I feel like an egoist for my reply... She's 72 so...

miriam w. cohen,
August 14, 2011 7:19 PM

yours is the final decision

The body of the deceased is legally the property of the next of kin. That is when the decision to bury can be made. It is not disrespectful to your mother to mumble and then do what is proper. How can any Jew living today think of cremation when the Nazis burnt millions of Jews.

Anonymous,
August 15, 2011 8:21 AM

WHAT IS "PROPER?"

What is Proper to me, is to carry out my mother's final wishes, whether I agree or not! The next of Kin is ENTRUSTED with the
body..it is not MY PROPERTY. She has/had a choice as in a DNR clause,,and I would NEVER Mumble one thing and Do Another----Thats not serving HER..thats serving someone else's idea.GEE!!

Bronwyn,
August 15, 2011 1:17 AM

CREMATION

I agree that if someone insists they want to be cremated, what can you do?

Marla,
August 15, 2011 7:58 AM

Everyone has a Right to Choose for Themselves.....

You can Honor THEIR Wishes..thats what we ALL can do!

Anonymous,
August 15, 2011 8:48 AM

Talk with her....

I feel for you.....And I sense that whats making you feel so sad is that because of her choices, there wont be a place,like a cemetary for you(or anyone else) to go to"visit". Talk with her about THAT--Tell her how much you love her and share your genuine concerns for when you/or others want to visit and theres no gravesite. Maybe you'll start to see a compromise or some solution will arise..but the important thing is that she knows you love her and she can COUNT ON YOU to carry out her final wishes..and she deserves that DIGNITY(and so do you,by the way...) KOL TOV..hope you dont have to deal w/it for a long long time...

Anonymous,
August 19, 2011 10:20 PM

Respect your mother's wishes

Your mother made it quite clear what she wanted to be done after her death. Be thankful that she verbalized it. Too many children/surviving spouses, etc are never given that gift that your mother gave you - information.
My mother had Parkinson's disease for over 30 years. She had determined to give her brain to Parkinson's research. My father and brother disagreed with her plan. So I was named her POA, the one to go to for medical decisions, NOT my father or brother.
Years ago I decided to be an organ donor, if possible, then be a cadaver in a medical school. After that, I want my remains to be cremated. I want no fanfare with regards to my ashes. If they are placed in the garden, without an urn, great.
BTW - I think the artist's idea of customizing an urn with pictures is great.

(8)
Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 4:02 PM

pittrey@c0mcast.net

what does one do if they do not have the money to be buried properly? It is too expensive to plan a funeral when one has to worry where to get money to eat and just live. IF the soul departs then what does it matter about the body that will only decay in the ground? The soul is what is important.

Lea,
August 14, 2011 8:46 PM

Burial Expenses

Make an appointment and see a funeral director. There are plans you can buy in advance to take care of your burial expenses. You can set it up to make payments for as long as ten years if you cannot afford the entire amount. And if you pass before the ten years, everything is paid for.

Anonymous,
August 15, 2011 4:07 AM

Reply

Cremation also costs money, and it is not too far off from what a proper burial costs. If it is actually a true concern, there are rabbis and social workers who would help with the expenses.

(7)
Rivka,
August 14, 2011 2:13 PM

Jewish law prohibits cremation

It is agsinst Jewish law to cremate. The fact that so many Jews seem to think cremating is all the rage because they are not educated in Judaism all I can do is say, fellow Jews please go learn Torah with a qualified Rav. Go to Aish and learn.
The reason people seem to be making cremating into a fashion is becasue it is much cheaper than burial and like all the things so many Jews do, they latch onto a secular idea rather than learn what their faith says.The fact that this woman was making urns for dead peoople's ashes brings me to this point. How can you burn your body that was once an " urn" for your holy soul? The soul which was given to you by God was housed in your body. When the soul departed shouldn't you be respecting its container by burying it as per Jewish law? As far as the commenter who said worms etc will eat it. That is faulty human reasoning, comparing a natural and slow decomposing to a destructive burning where the entire body is destroyed. Burning is a violent act.How sick to have a dead loved ones ashes ina an urn in one's home. It boggles my mind what people who don't follow G-d's word can come up with and consieder themselves wiser that the allmighty.

Anonymous,
August 19, 2011 10:31 PM

Cremation is not the rage

Rivka, don't be so naive to think that Jews are creamating because they are uneducated of Jewish law. They are opting for cremation because it makes more sense to them, Jewish law does not. Many (if not most) Jews, do not hold Jewish beliefs as you do or believe in God, or the God that is represented in Torah. By following their conscience and good sense, they do as they see as proper and in the case at hand, cremation.

(6)
Yitzchak,
August 14, 2011 1:42 PM

Cremation and the Nazis Y.S.

Tne Nazis-yemach shemayhem, cremated us. It is the ultimate insult for a Jewish person to emulate this practice.

(5)
Steve D,
August 14, 2011 12:29 PM

Burial is not so pleasant, either

On the other hand, most would not want to have bodies discarded to be torn apart and eaten by wild animals. But isn't burial little different, consigning the bodies to be devoured by insects, bacterial, etc.? It seems that burial and decomposition is not such a pleasant thing, either.

(4)
Bracha Goetz,
August 14, 2011 12:22 PM

Thank you!

This is a very important article. And it is of vital importance for us to be aware that BEFORE death, the body is a holy vessel that deserves respect. We need to do all we can to protect the holy vessels of innocent children so that they can remain unmolested and pure. Awareness and education are key.

(3)
Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 11:41 AM

regretful from the grave

My mother a"h, requested to be cremated as her mother and two aunts were before her--and her father after her. Apparently in our assimilated second and third generation American liberal family, cremation was the family tradition. I think they just didn't want to have to deal with the unknown of death. Better destroy it so that it too joins "you" in the void of non-existence after life.
I was becoming more observant at the time, but didn't have the strength of conviction to go against her last wishes. The moment her body was taken away to the crematorium I regretted my decision. The Talmud tells us that the righteous depart from their bodies easily, however, those who spent life associating with their bodies and not their souls, have a very hard time letting go. Burial gives the soul a chance to let go gradually, and it also provides the mourners with closure. I felt the pain that her soul felt being parted from her body in such a sudden manner. It took me an unnatural long time to complete the mourning process.
I urge all dutiful children to think twice before cremating your parents! It may have been the last wish of your loved one, but guaranteed, they have reconsidered once they are no longer in this world.

Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 3:14 PM

reply to regretful to the grave

I was caught up in the cremation of a close relative. But we were many miles away from the family and so we asked the local Rabbi to help us, he tried and even took along another Rav to try and help but, they went ahead anyway, as for us they no longer want anything to do with us at all. We also organized a kosher Kaddish for the Neshama, quietly without the knowledge of the family, as even this they were against. Around the first yahzheit I had a dream, my relative came to me to thank us for helping his neshama. So everyone out there do your best to help people realize that cremation is WRONG

(2)
Michal,
August 14, 2011 11:22 AM

what difference does it make?

that was the response I received when I forwarded another of your articles on cremation, a different one, to my not observant family. The same family member who wanted to know at the breakfast table what difference it made to keep kosher? To me: you're so rational in everything else, so why do you do this meshugana food thing??( He didn't want an answer.) He doesn't believe in G/d or the soul. He sent me the link to the wikepedia dfn of Soul. "A belief that some people hold..." How can you even get to the issue of Jewish observance much less cremation being wrong, when the people you talk to won't even entertain the idea of something that is not provable by Western Scientific methods? that's what he says to me: you can't measure it - it doesn't exist. I've tried to explain that science can only tell us What, How or When, but can't explain WHY? about anything in the world- thank you rav Motty Berger, shilta: science can enable you to kill bacteria to save a human life but it can't tell if you** should** kill bacteria to save a human life. Paraphrasing him. We're just monkeys that learned to talk?? that seems to be the attitude of the Jews I know. Nothing matters. Just enjoy yourself, "be nice" and when you die, it's over. yes, I'm frustrated.

Ann Brady,
August 18, 2011 12:55 PM

Wise Words

Michal, as long as there are people like you in this world, there is hope. I, too, have family members who "scoff" but I haven't given up on them because I believe HaShem hasn't. We are His, no matter what any of us says, so don't be discouraged. G-d's Will always prevails in the long run.

(1)
Anonymous,
August 14, 2011 7:10 AM

Prohibitively expensive to die

Although I would never consider cremation, the reality is that for people who do not understand the religious importance of burial, it is prohibitively expensive to undergo burial in a Jewish cemetery and they may be opting for cremation instead of burial purely for financial reasons. When my husband's grandmother died, she had done nothing to prepare in advance for this eventuality, so we not only had to pick out a burial site, we were required to pay $7000 for the plot within 24 hours of her death. It took us years to pay off this financial burden. Subsequently, I took out a small ($25K) life insurance policy which cost only pennies, specifically so my children would not be burdened with the expenses associated with my eventual death (until 120). My husband and I also bought two cemetery plots so our children would not be similarly financially burdened. We hope that by preparing for the inevitability of death, we will make our children's lives a bit easier when our time comes (hopefully not for many many years!).

I was born with a neuromuscular disease known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy and have been confined to a wheelchair my entire life. Unfortunately my sister and I were raised without any religious instruction or guidance. My father wasn't Jewish and although my mother is, she openly claims to be an atheist. The "good news" is that both my sister and myself - independent of each other and at different times in our lives - realized that we are Jewish and chose to live a Jewish life.

Because of my disability, I'm not always able to attend services on Shabbat, but I always light candles, pray from a Siddur and read the weekly Torah portion. I would like to know whether, considering my situation, if using a computer is allowed during the Sabbath? I found the complete Bible online and since my computer is voice-activated I don't have to struggle to turn pages or continuously ask for assistance.

Thank you to everyone at Aish.com for making it possible for myself and so many others to learn about being Jewish and grow in the most important part of our lives.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for sharing your inspiring story.

God gives each of us a set of challenges. To those more capable of conquering difficulties, He gave bigger challenges. A challenge from God is a sign that He cares about us and has confidence in our ability to become great.

It sounds like you're doing great!

As for using the computer on Shabbat, that is prohibited. A foundation of Judaism is that we need to respect God's wishes, even if we think that doing otherwise is "for a good reason." Consider this story:

A king calls in his trusted minister and says: "I have an important mission for you to perform. Go to the neighboring kingdom and meet in the palace with their leaders. But remember one thing - under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during this meeting. Now go and do as I say."

The minister sets off on his merry way and soon arrives at the neighboring kingdom. There he heads straight for the palace where he meets with the King. In the midst of their discussion, he sees some of the king's officers pointing and laughing at him.

"Why are you laughing?" asks the visiting minister.

"Because we've never seen someone with such a pronounced hunchback as yourself," they say.

"What are you talking about? I'm not a hunchback!"

"Of course you are!"

"No I'm not!"

"We'll bet you one million dollars that you are!"

"Fine - I'll gladly take your bet."

"Okay, so take off your shirt and prove it."

At which point the minister remembers the parting words of the king... "under no circumstances must you remove your shirt during the meeting." Yet, the minister reasons, a million dollars would certainly bring added wealth to the king's coffers. I know I'm not a hunchback, so I'll surely win the bet. Of course, under these circumstances the king would approve...

The minister removes his shirt and proudly displays his perfect posture. With pride in his achievement, he holds out his hand, into which is placed a check for one million dollars.

The minister can barely contain his excitement. He quickly ends the meeting and runs back to give the wonderful news to his king. "I earned you a million dollars!" exclaims the minister. "It was easy. I only had to remove my shirt to prove that I wasn't a hunchback."

"You did what?!" shouts the king. "But I told you specifically not to remove your shirt. I trusted that you'd follow instructions, and so I bet the other king $10 million dollars that he couldn't get you to remove your shirt!"

The Torah tells us "Do not add or subtract from the mitzvahs." (Deut. 4:2) Jewish law is a precise metaphysical science. Consider a great work of art. Would you consider adding a few notes to a Bach fugue, or some brushstrokes to a Rembrandt portrait?!

Perfection, by definition, cannot be improved upon. Altering Torah law is an unacceptable implication that God is lacking.

The verse in Psalms 19:8 declares: "Torat Hashem Temimah" - the Torah of God is complete. For just as adding one wire to a transistor radio means it no longer can pick up reception, so too we mustn't tinker with Jewish law. The mitzvahs of God are perfect.

May the Almighty give you strength to continue your growth in Judaism.

In 1315, King Louis X of France called back the Jews who had been expelled a few decades earlier by King Louis IX. This marked a theme in Jewish-French life: expulsions and subsequent invitations to return. The French monarchy was trying to establish their land as the "new Jerusalem," and to fulfill this mission attempted several crusades to Israel. In 1615, King Louis XIII ordered that Christians were forbidden to speak with Jews, upon penalty of death. Eventually, in 1683, King Louis XIV expelled the Jews from the colony of Martinique.

Focus on what you do want. Make your goal explicit. “My goal is to increase my moments of joy.” This way, every single moment of joy is a successful moment.

Celebrate each moment of joy. Be grateful every time you experience joy.

Having this goal will place your attention on joy. Instead of feeling bad when you are not joyful, you will experience positive feelings about experiencing more joy.

Each moment of joy in your entire life is experienced one moment at a time. You can’t have more than one moment of joy in any given moment, but you can increase the number of joyful moments. How? By focusing on it.

There is no person on earth so righteous, who does only good and does not sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Reading the suggestions for ridding oneself of character defects, someone might say, "These are all very helpful for someone who has character defects, but I do not see anything about myself that is defective."

In the above-cited verse, Solomon states what we should all know: no one is perfect. People who cannot easily find imperfections within themselves must have a perception so grossly distorted that they may not even be aware of major defects. By analogy, if a person cannot hear anything, it is not that the whole world has become absolutely silent, but that he or she has lost all sense of hearing and may thus not be able to hear even the loudest thunder.

In his monumental work, Duties of the Heart, Rabbeinu Bachaye quotes a wise man who told his disciples, "If you do not find defects within yourself, I am afraid you have the greatest defect of all: vanity." In other words, people who see everything from an "I am great/right" perspective will of course believe that they do no wrong.

When people can see no faults in themselves, it is generally because they feel so inadequate that the awareness of any personal defects would be devastating. Ironically, vanity is a defense against low self-esteem. If we accept ourselves as fallible human beings and also have a sense of self-worth, we can become even better than we are.

Today I shall...

be aware that if I do not find things within myself to correct, it may be because I am threatened by such discoveries.

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